Mymensingh Chhatra Dal leader held as police bust 'torture cell' used for extortion

Police have arrested a leader of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the BNP’s student wing, after uncovering a “torture cell” that he allegedly ran to extort money and assault residents in Mymensingh's Tarakanda Upazila.

Hizbul Alam Jias, 26, general secretary of the Banihala Union Chhatra Dal, was detained on Monday night after a case was filed naming him as the key suspect along with several unidentified associates, according to Tarakanda Police Station chief Tipu Sultan.

Two of his alleged accomplices, identified by single names as Rafi and Abdullah, were arrested on Sunday after a video surfaced on social media, showing a man being beaten while Jias watched on a video call. The victim was allegedly threatened at knifepoint and told to pay Tk 40,000 for his release.

The footage sparked widespread outrage, leading to the arrests.

Jias has been serving as general secretary of his local Chhatra Dal unit since December 2021.

The organisation has moved to suspend Jias from his position following his arrest.

Local residents allege that Jias’s activities intensified after Aug 5, 2024, including alleged extortion, public beatings and threats. On Aug 8 last year, he reportedly assaulted barber Haque Mia in Majiali Bazar after refusing to pay for a haircut and instead demanding Tk 5,000 as extortion.

The shop was locked, and when Haque Mia’s elder brother tried to intervene, he too was allegedly attacked.

Mymensingh Metropolitan Chhatra Dal’s former assistant general secretary Mamun Sarkar claims he was also beaten when he protested against the incidents. Mamun later filed the case against Jias, accusing him of using his position in Chhatra Dal for “criminal activities”, including extortion, illegal detention and drug use.

Haque Mia alleged that Jias kept a tin-shed room by his pond to hold people and torture them, while other villagers accused him of forcing “confessions” on video under threats of violence.

Union council member Abu Taher said Jias “was always under the influence of drugs” and had previously made threats against him.

“He has a torture cell. Everything must be dismantled and they must face the highest punishment."

Tarakanda Police Station chief Tipu Sultan said that Jias will be produced in court on Tuesday, while his two associates have been sent to jail.

Investigators are probing whether others were involved.